FCA Investment Firm Authorisation
Cost
Application £25,000+ direct fees. Setup costs (capital, legal, infrastructure) £400,000-£1M+.
Timeline
6-12 months
Capital
£730,000 minimum for Market Maker, typical for retail forex. £125,000 for STP-only.
MiFID II investment firm regulated by Financial Conduct Authority.
Who it suits
UK-based or UK-facing forex, CFD, and investment brokers. Required for any retail-facing investment activity in the UK.
Compliance load
MiFID II / FCA Handbook, FOS adherence, CASS client-asset rules, SM&CR (Senior Managers & Certification Regime), RegData reporting.
The acquiring angle
The strictest regulatory tier of any forex licence. UK and EU acquirers underwrite FCA brokers with confidence. Pricing competitive, 0.5-1.5% IC++ markup. Reserves 5-10%, lower than offshore equivalents.
Notes and pitfalls
Brexit transition complicated EU passporting, UK-licensed brokers serving EU clients now need a separate EU entity. Costs scale fast for new entrants.
Reference information, not legal advice. Figures are typical ranges as of 2026.
FCA UK questions.
How do acquirers view the FCA UK licence?
Acquirer acceptance is Broad. The strictest regulatory tier of any forex licence. UK and EU acquirers underwrite FCA brokers with confidence. Pricing competitive, 0.5-1.5% IC++ markup. Reserves 5-10%, lower than offshore equivalents.
What does the FCA UK cost and how long does it take?
Cost: Application £25,000+ direct fees. Setup costs (capital, legal, infrastructure) £400,000-£1M+.. Timeline: 6-12 months. Capital: £730,000 minimum for Market Maker, typical for retail forex. £125,000 for STP-only.. These are typical ranges as of 2026; verify with the regulator before budgeting.
Does BZNpay help with FCA UK applications?
No. We are an introducer to acquirers, not a licensing agent. We can tell you how this licence plays with the acquirer pool and introduce you to the partners whose appetite covers it.